Do domain & server matter for SEO??

[ucpooh2008]

Hi,

I am planning to build websites for my franchise business: one "main" website and 30 "microsites" for franchise branches.

In terms of search engine optimization, is it better for franchise branches to become sub-domains of the company's "main" website or have independent domains of their own?



Another question I have is, if all my websites are hosted by one server, would this affect their PageRank negatively?

Google seems to want a variety of sources to provide information, so wouldn't originating from one server might not look good to Google?



I am just beginning to learn about sitebuiding, so I look forward to having all your kind feedbacks. Thanks!

[mo-sparrow]

1) I think sub domain is better, but it depends on how you will promote these sites.

2) If you chose individual domains, you can host them on the same server, just do not inter-link them (link only the main 1 to the sub ones, but not sub ones to each other).

[markphilip]

if your domain name contains the keyword or keyphrase which a user is searching on search engine then search engine will give priority to it unless your domain doesn't contain exact high rank search keyword.